John E. Sawyer Seminar Series

Thanks to support from the Mellon Foundation, these seminars will explore how democracy and academic freedom are understood, taught and tested at KU. The John E. Sawyer Seminar Series is a collaboration among the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Center for Democratic Governance, the Kansas Data Consortium within the Institute for Policy & Social Research, and the Provost's Office of Community Impact.

Navigating Academic Freedom and Democracy on a Public University Campus in America’s Heartland

The Sawyer Seminars will bring together researchers at all levels and members of the public to examine the relationship between higher education and democracy, address contemporary challenges to academic freedom, and consider how universities might adapt different pedagogical strategies for generations to come.
A group of people listen to a seminar at the Hall Center
Sawyer Seminar cohort members and guests listen to the seminar
Christopher Koliba speaks at the podium during the seminar he led

Planned discussions this fall include:

 

Fear of Conflict in the Heartland with Howard Gillman
WED SEP 9, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
→ Hall Center Conference Hall

Censorship & Other Attacks on Academic Freedom: Effects on Campus Collections & College Classrooms
THU OCT 1, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
→ Hall Center Conference Hall

Teaching Democratic Values at KU: Faculty “Control” Over Courses
WED NOV 4, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
→ Hall Center Conference Hall

Concerns About Academic Freedom in Research
THU DEC 3, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
→ Hall Center Conference Hall


For more information on the John E. Sawyer Seminar Series at KU, please email sawyerseminar@ku.edu.